Ohio rallies past Newton, Howard
ATHENS — Backup quarterback Quinton Maxwell had a big day, passing for two touchdowns and running for two more, DL Knock returned the second half kickoff 99 yards for a score and Ohio rallied to defeat Howard 38-32 on Saturday.
Howard was attempting to open the season with a second consecutive upset of an FBS school after shocking UNLV 43-40 last year. Bobcats cornerback Ilyaas Motley sealed the win by intercepting Caylin Newton on fourth-and-9 from midfield with 14 seconds left.
The Bison took early leads of 10-0, 16-3 and 22-10. Nathan Rourke started and played the first quarter before being replaced by Maxwell. Maxwell threw touchdown passes of 11 yards to Papi White and 13 to Cameron Odom to pull the Bobcats within 22-17 at halftime. Knock put Ohio ahead, and Maxwell sandwiched touchdown runs of 1 and 10 yards around a Howard touchdown for a 38-29 lead in the first minute of the fourth quarter.
Maxwell finished 17 of 25 for 233 yards. White had eight receptions for a career-high 154 yards.
Newton, the younger brother of Carolina Panthers star QB Cam Newton, was 26 of 52 for 439 yards, all career highs, and three touchdowns. But Caylin Newton had two interceptions and the Bison lost two fumbles.
ILLINOIS 31, KENT STATE 24: Illinois quarterback AJ Bush runs through a hole against Kent State in the first quarter. Bush finished with 139 yards rushing and 190 passing as the Illini rallied to win 31-24. DAYTON 49, ROBERT MORRIS 28: Tucker Yinger of DeSales rushed for 139 yards, including a 44-yard touchdown, and backup Jack Cook threw two touchdown passes after starter Alex Jeske was injured as host Dayton defeated Robert Morris. BUTLER 23, YOUNGSTOWN STATE 21: